Two and a half hours flight south from BC brings you to the most populous state in America where the film industry and today's pop culture is born. Nicknamed 'The Golden State' thirty nine million people live in sprawling metropolises, beach side towns and mountain ranches.
Flights are super affordable so you may end up visiting a number of weekends across your gap year. Due to cumbersome traffic jams you may want to consider taking a week off to rent a car of your choice and cruise some of America's most famous sights.
San Francisco, the home of modern tech companies, has a starkly contrasting affluent-homeless divide. It is the logical entry point from Vancouver with multiple daily flights at affordable prices.
With unpredictable weather the more southern areas of the state enter an overcast 'June Gloom' so I suggest travelling in the slightly more reliable late August or early September period. There are plenty of official tourism websites but a few recommendations I love are listed below.
Los Angeles: three days at least to explore the seconds largest city in the USA. Plan your visit around avoiding heinous peak traffic. The downtown is revitalising but West Hollywood and Venice are still magical spots. Rent a convertible and drive up to Malibu or continue north towards beautiful Santa Barbara.
San Francisco: you will need at least three days. Most accommodation is hideously expensive but the Metro Hotel is a more affordable boutique option. The de Young museum and SF MOMA are top notch attractions. Everyone love alcatraz, The Mission and famous crooked Lombard Street. Leave the Golden Gate until you drive towards the wine region (below).
Coachella Festival: October annually, buy tickets early.
Sonoma and Napper: stay overnight in this stunning wine region only fourty five minutes drive from San Francisco. There are over four hundred wineries who usually charge a small fee (usually $5-10) to taste which can be deducted from any purchases. The open-carry Sonoma Plaza is splendid and worthwhile visiting for a meal.
San Diego: awesome surfing culture and close proximity to Mexico. Plenty of attractions for families and a great place to spend the 4th of July.
Yosemite: ancient giant sequoia trees (recently reopened), towering Half Dome and El Capitan cliffs, flowing waterfalls and wildlife in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Campsites and lodges are unbelievably busy during peak periods so you will need to book at least six months in advance if you choose to visit in summer.
Palm Springs: frequent direct flights to desert hot springs, spas and boutiques. A perfect weekend away that many Vancouverites indulge in.
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